Safety Question

[Maggiemollie]

The safety on my SW works (auto ON upon break/closing has been disabled) but it takes much more force to disengage than I am used to from prior safeties on my Perazzi and Browning. They were very smooth - this is very tightly locked in place when ON and doesn't really slide forward it's like it suddenly releases and snaps forward. Conversely, when moving it from OFF to ON, it slides much smoother and requires far less force and feels much closer to what I am used to. Having never owned a vintage SxS, is this normal or does it mean something else? Any input appreciated. Ron.

[Jeff S]

All of mine work very easily. When I purchased my 1922 Simson, the safety was so stubborn that it would peel the skin on my thumb. I brought it to a good gunsmith and he somehow solved the problem.

[Fox20obsessed]

Some things you can try. Polish the hill and dale detents on the underside of the top tang. I sometimes put a little dab of wax under a sticky safety. Another trick and this probably works best, take a bit off one side of the crescent shaped spring that is pinned under the slide...I have seen factory guns with one end trimmed. I’ve heard it stated elsewhere that on a real S.O.B. Sticky safety that differences in metallurgy could be the culprit, but I have neither the evidence nor the knowledge to back that statement up. Hope this helps.
-Matt

PS. This has been covered elsewhere so a search may be in order, I remember someone saying they used toilet ring wax...I have used renaissance wax with good results as well. Remember any grease or oil in this area will end up migrating into the wrist of a buttstock with a very dainty profile.

[Maggiemollie]

Thanks. The wax trick worked pretty well.

[Brian Dudley]

I have always found that the design of Fox safeties and their slides does result in a stiffer feel than many other makers.

[Maggiemollie]

Thank you, Brian. Like I said, the wax definitely relieved some stick but as you noted, it still is stiffer than the O/U ones I was used to.